<br/>Right in the heart of downtown on Church Street lies anabandoned ruins, currently a subject of debate and decision by developers andthe Sag Harbor planning board. But back in 1881 the cornerstone was laid forthis large and soon to be booming factory. Joseph Fahys, a shop owner in NewYork City owned a factory in New Jersey that was looking for a place torelocate. Sag Harbor was a perfect solution. It would still be easy totransport the goods to the shops in Manhattan and yet the conditions would bebetter.

<br/>The new factory in Sag Harbor hired anyone willing to workand was full of retied seamen and immigrants. Fahys was known for his cleanworkspaces and employee perks. There was even a recreation room for use whennot on shift. Fahys watch cases are still prized and collected today. Thefactory’s products were also noted for their high gold content. In 1890 $6,000worth of gold was melted down every day and even the floor scraps came to asurprising $80,000 per year.<span> <br />

<br/>But the flourishing factory could not last forever. As muchof the world was experiencing financial stress, so was Mr. Fahy. In 1931competition began to push them out and Mr. Arde Bulova purchased and renovatedthe building to become the Bulova Watch Factory. During World War II thefactory shifted its focus into manufacturing munitions and timing devices.

<br/>Bulova as a company is still in operation but the factoryeventually closed its doors. The very last watchcase was produced there in 1975and is still preserved in a museum display.<span> The building was eventually left to decay slowly over time.

<br/>Currently there are plans by Sag Development Partners torenovate the factory and turn it into housing and apartments. The plans anddevelopments are being carefully scrutinized by the Sag Harbor Village PlanningBoard. While it is always regrettable to watch a historic building decay orundergo construction changes, this could once again be a chance for thisproperty to benefit the community of Sag Harbor.